EN / DE / FR / PL / ΕΛ / ES / IT / LT / RO
 
EN / DE / FR / PL / ΕΛ / ES / IT / LT / RO

The Strong Sex

  • Being a Man (Working title)
All titles (3)
Documentary Feature | 2018-2020 | Society | Germany

Brief synopsis

Director Jonas Rothlaender confronts various men with anonymous statements by other men about their sexual experiences and the associated gender roles. As a result, the protagonists begin to reflect on their own sexuality and talk about their experiences. THE STRONG SEX is an examination of male sexuality, its power structures and stereotypes of masculinity in present times.


"If almost every woman around me has experienced sexual harassment or violence, what does it say about my male friends and myself?" THE STRONG SEX explores the current understanding of male sexuality and questions stereotypes of masculinity. What societal ideals are men committed to and which traditions, of what we regard as masculine, can be challenged?

Director Jonas Rothlaender confronts various men with other men’s anonymous confessions and experiences on male sexuality and desire. Based on that, the men
reflect on their own behaviour and the characteristics of masculinity with a remarkable openness. How do social conventions shape one's own sexuality and to what extent
does the perception of others influence one’s handling of weaknesses and emotions? Besides the discussion about the standards to one’s self, the expectations on their
respective partners are also reflected. Traditional and modern gender roles clash.

In the interviews, dominance is repeatedly identified as a male attribute. But when does a power game become an assault? And how do you deal with the resulting guilt? The film looks behind the facade of strength and dominance and detects mechanisms of heteronomy. THE STRONG SEX is a reflection about what masculinity means today.

Cast

ActorRole nameVoice actor / SpeakerVoice actor
Rick HübnerRick Hübner [L]
Javid WunschA man [BP]

Crew

ActivityNameComment
Production accountantAndrea Göpfert
Director of photographyAndreas Hartmann
DirectorJonas Rothlaender
1st AD (local system)Lorenz Friedrich Reck
EditorKai Eiermann
EditorCarlotta Kittel
ComposerJulius Pollux Rothlaender
ProducerLuis Singer
ProducerDennis Schanz
ProducerJulia M. Müller
ProducerLuisa Leopold
Assistant production managerLorenz Friedrich Reck
ScreenwriterJonas Rothlaender
Script consultantAndres Veiel
Sound recordist (non fiction)Andreas Hartmann
Sound re-recording mixerJulian Cropp
Assistant to sound re-recording mixerEneko Ezquerro Gómez
Sound designerJulian Cropp
Commissioning editorFranziska Schulz-Elmalih
rbb
rbb
Commissioning editorRolf Bergmann
rbb
rbb

Production companies

CompanyComment
StickUp Filmproduktion GmbH & Co. KG [de]
RBB - Rundfunk Berlin Brandenburg [de]
coproduction
coproduction

Distribution / Sales companies

CompanyComment
Missing Films [de]
Germany (theatrical), 2022
Germany (theatrical), 2022

Facilities

DepartmentCompanyComment
Finance/Law/Insuranceadag Payroll Services GmbH
Komparsenabrechnung
Komparsenabrechnung
Subtitles / Audio descriptionWay Film GmbH – Translation & Production

Awards

Award winnerYearAwardCategory 
Jonas Rothlaender2021Filmfest München [de]
Förderpreis Neues Deutsches Kino
Förderpreis Neues Deutsches KinoNominated
Jonas Rothlaender2021Achtung Berlin [de]
Documentary
DocumentaryNominated

Festivals

YearCountryFestivalComment
2021GermanyFilmfest München
Neues Deutsches Kino
Neues Deutsches Kino
2021GermanyNordic Film Days
Filmforum
Filmforum

Cinema releases and premieres

TypeCountryDateComment
Theatre releaseGermanyThursday, 26/05/2022
PremiereSaturday, 03/07/2021Welpremiere